The Washington critic., 1887-05-03
WASHINGTON, MAY 3, 1887.
THE PRESIDENT AND THE CATUo-
LILO CHURCH


adverse action on measures making
specific appropriations for certain re-
ligieus institutions. lie held that the
public moneys coull not justly he d.
verted from secular and general to sec
tartan purposes, and for this reason he
received from the Church, which had
hitherto and for many years been en-
rolled as an ally of the Democratic
party, a somewhat reluctant aud half.
hearted support. This WIS more par
ticularly the case In the city of New
York. The au,hl'ni1n to Nr. CIcve.
land rn this account was not well or
ganizcd nor widely distributed,
Abiding 10 this matter yesterday in
an editorial article which just at this
time possesses peculiar significance, the
New York Times remarks that there is
an impression in the public mind, not
without foundation, that the same relig-
ions organization which sought to turn
the votes of Its lhortnts against Mr..
Cleveland when he was last before the
PEOPLE, lis prepMo cd in such ways as 1t
can to prevent his again receiving from
the Nation, should the Nation desire TO
bes,ow 1t, the high office he now
holds" What then? The Times goes
on TO say:
But II the American people come to share
this conviction, II they are forced to count this
powerful organization among the enemies
their trusted servant by his falthfulness to
them has made, they will most certainly know
how to protect him and themselves. No surer
method could be devised to strengthen him In
their confidence and affection, and to confirm
their purpose further to honor him than to
persuade them that he is the victim of policy
that is absolutely inconsistent with the free
working OF institutions made for and by Amer
leans, and that were not meant to be, and
shall not be, controlled from Rome
The President stands in no such
danger as is here predicated on the
developments of the last campaign, aud
may Justly ask to be saved from a
friendship, that however well intended,
is calculated to broaden and intensity
differences that discretion might bridge.
We do not believe that Mr.. Cleve-
land as Governor made any more
enemies In the Catholic Church than
he will be able 10 unmake by the gen.
eral wisdom and conservatism Of his
Administration nor is 1t at all probable
that the issue f0reshalowcd by the
Times will be sharply or dangerously
IreciTitatcd in the coming canvass.
1t is of course probable that the op.
position, especially the friends OF Mr..
Blaine, will bank rs much as possible
on conditions MS they find them and
utilize for all Il is worth whatever
lingering feeling Of recruitment the
Arch bishop OF New York and his
clergy may still entertain toward the
President.
The effect Of sounding this note of
alarm, If cause for alarm there really
exist, will be TO steady the lines Of the
Independents wherever they show
signs of waverinr; and such, no doubt,
is one of the objects which the Times
has in view. But there Is no immediate
prospect of sweeping revolution in
the political attitude of Roman Cathol
icism. The great body of the Church
voted for Cleveland in 1884. and will
DO so again in 1888 should he be can
didate.
The unknown quantities In the contest
are the Labor organizations in general,
the adherents of Henry George in par
ticular and the apostate following of DR..
McGlynn. The Independent element
of American politics is no longer lin
tied to George William Curtis and the
civil .servieereformer of Massachusetts.
II embraces vast army of unrest--of
Romarists on the ragged edge of Sc
cession from Rome; Of thinking men
Of all parties who are convinced that It
is high time American ideas should
rule Americas of workingmcn of all
parties who find no satisfaction In any
and Of thousands Of good citizens who
have renounced the obligations of par.
tisanship in the hope of somewhere
finding broader National policies on
which TO stand and more intelligent
legislation TO carry them out. In what
form they may ultimately consolidate
no man can tell, Int 1t is safe 10 say of
them that, as against any attempted
capture Of the Government by the
Church upon the one haud, or Com.
munism upon the other, they will stand
shoulder to shoulder for the oil flag
and the free principles il represents.
THE Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, at its meeting In New Orleans
yesterday, heard petitions from large
number of Southern railroads aud othel
parties, asking suspension Of the
fourth section, or long AMI short hau
clause of the law. Some protests were
received upon the other hand, notably
from the New Orleans Chamber o
Commerce and the State agriculture
societies of Louisiana, demanding tha
the law be enforced as It was passed
without modification or evasion. 1t l.
plain 10 sec where the people stand II
this matter.
The New York Suns latest idea To-
1883" is this; For President, David b
Hill of New York; Vice President, j
Proctor Knott of Kentuckyi Governo
of New York, Charles C. b. Walker o
Chemung. Platform; The best gov
ernment is that which governs the least